Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 4 Dec 2014

1. OSBORNE TO ‘TAKE UK BACK TO THE THIRTIES’

Public spending will be reduced to levels unseen since the 1930s, chancellor George Osborne’s autumn statement reveals. Further cuts totalling £60bn to police, justice and local government are expected. Lib Dem minister Vince Cable says the plans, to bring spending down to 35% of GDP, are “wholly unrealistic”.

Autumn Statement: plans to cut spending 'to 1930s levels'

2. MOTHER AND BABY: BODIES FOUND IN BRISTOL

The body of missing mother Charlotte Bevan and her new-born daughter, Zaani Tiani, have been found in Avon Gorge. The 30-year-old, who suffered from depression, walked out of a Bristol hospital with her child on Tuesday. A member of the public found Bevan's body this morning and that of her child was discovered nearby.

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Body of woman found in search for missing mother and baby

3. FORMER LIBERAL LEADER THORPE DIES

Jeremy Thorpe, the former leader of the Liberal Party, has died at the age of 85. Despite leading the party for nine years he is best remembered for the scandal that brought his career to an end. After allegations of an affair with a male model he was tried on charges of conspiracy and incitement to murder, but cleared in 1979.

4. US FAMILY ‘FAILED’ BY CHOKEHOLD RULING

There are protests in NYC after a grand jury declined to indict a white police officer who used a banned ‘chokehold’ on a black suspect who then died. Daniel Panteleo was filmed using the hold as Eric Garner was arrested in July on suspicion of selling untaxed cigarettes. His family say they have been “failed”.

Eric Garner: civil rights probe launched into chokehold killing

5. CPS CONTACTS 'FAKE SHEIKH' DEFENDANTS

The Crown Prosecution Service is to contact the defendants in 25 court cases in which 'Fake Sheikh' Mazher Mahmood gave evidence. The move comes after the trial of former X-Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos collapsed when the judge said there were grounds to believe the undercover journalist had lied. Three live cases involving Mahmood have been dropped.

6. I.S SET UP TRAINING CAMPS IN LIBYA, SAYS US

Sunni militants Islamic State have set up training camps in eastern Libya, according to a top US general. Gen David Rodriguez believes that “a couple of hundred” fighters are being trained there. He said the camps were at a very early stage but the US was watching them “carefully, to see how it develops”.

Islamic State militants set up training camps in Libya

7. NEW BOND FILM TO BE CALLED 'SPECTRE'

Daniel Craig will star as James Bond for the fourth time in the 24th instalment of the franchise, to be called Spectre. Other cast members include double Oscar winner Cristoph Waltz and Andrew Scott from Sherlock, with Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux the latest 'Bond girls'. The cast, including an Aston Martin DB10, were unveiled at Pinewood studios.

Who will replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond?

8. TORY MP ARRESTED AFTER RAPE CLAIM

Conservative MP Mark Pritchard has been arrested after an allegation of rape. Met police confirmed that a 48-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday evening and questioned at Holborn Police Station over the allegation. He was released on police bail and has not been charged with any offence. News of the arrest emerged in a letter to Speaker John Bercow.

9. STEGOSAURUS COMES TO LONDON MUSEUM

The most complete fossil skeleton of a stegosaurus yet found has arrived at its new home in the Natural History Museum in London. The fossil has been dubbed ‘Sophie’ after the daughter of the wealthy hedge fund manager whose donation made the acquisition possible. The cost has not been revealed.

10. HOT TICKET: MUSICAL REVIVAL ASSASSINS

A revival of Sondheim's musical Assassins has opened at the Menier Chocolate Factory, London. A funfair spruiker introduces us to the people who have tried to assassinate US presidents. With Catherine Tate as Gerald Ford's would-be killer. “Morbidly funny,” says The Times. Until 7 March.

Assassins - reviews of 'morbidly funny' musical